The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Rick Leach with 1,109 passing yards, fullback Russell Davis with 1,013 rushing yards, wing back Ralph Clayton with 393 receiving yards, and placekicker Gregg Willner with 49 points scored.[2] Davis was selected as the team's most valuable player.[1]
On defense, linebacker Ron Simpkins broke Michigan's single-season record with 158 total tackles (113 solo and 45 assists) during the regular season.[3] He also sacked opposing quarterbacks 10 times and recovered five fumbles in 1977.[4] In the final regular season game of the 1977 season, Simpkins had 20 tackles (15 solo) and recovered a fumble that set up the game-winning touchdown in Michigan's 14-6 victory over Ohio State.[4]
The 1976 Michigan Wolverines football team compiled a 10–2 record and was ranked No. 3 in the final AP and UPI polls. Michigan lost several starters from the 1976 team, including running back Rob Lytle, who finished third in the 1976 Heisman voting, flanker Jim Smith, and middle linebacker Calvin O'Neal, a consensus first-team All-American. In the spring of 1977, coach Schembechler publicly questioned whether the 1977 team could be as good as the 1976 team: "How many other teams lost 75 percent of the offense and seven of their 11 defensive starters?" His comment about 75 percent of the offense referred to Rob Lytle and Jim Smith who had a combined total of more than 2,400 rushing and receiving yards.[5]
Key veterans returning from the 1976 team included quarterback Rick Leach and defensive end John Anderson (moved to linebacker in 1977). Another strength was an all-senior offensive line, including guards Mark Donahue and Gerry Szara, center Walt Downing, and tackles Mike Kenn and Bill Dufek. In August 1977, Coach Schembechler paraded the five linemen in front of the press and boasted: "That is probably the best interior line we've had since I've been here. They're all big, they can move and they're smart. They can make adjustments."[6] Dufek sustained a cracked fibula before the season started and was replaced by Jon Giesler.[7]
The 1977 season also saw major changes in the coaching staff. In December 1976, defensive coordinator Gary Moeller was hired as the head coach at Illinois.[8] Less than two weeks later, offensive coordinator and offensive backfield coach Chuck Stobart was hired as head coach at Toledo.[9]Bill McCartney was promoted to take over Moeller's role as defensive coordinator,[6] and Bowling Green head coach Don Nehlen was hired to replace Stobart as the offensive backfield coach.[10]
On September 10, 1977, Michigan, ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll, defeated Illinois, 37-9, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, in a game matching Michigan coach Bo Schembechler against his former defensive coordinator, Gary Moeller. Moeller left Michigan to become Illinois' head coach in 1977.[12] The game attracted a crowd of 60,477, the largest opening day crowd in Illinois school history.
Michigan dominated the Illini, rushing for 350 yards. Junior quarterback Rick Leach ran an option offense in which he kept the ball for 78 rushing yards and also completed six of 11 passes for 76 yards, including touchdown passes of 30 yards to Ralph Clayton and 11 yards to Gene Johnson. Running back Harlan Huckleby rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. Russell Davis added 99 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. However, the Wolverines turned the ball over four times: a fumble by Huckleby on Michigan's first play from scrimmage, a fumbled punt return by Roosevelt Smith, and interceptions by Leach and backup quarterback John Wangler. The two fumbles set up the two Illini scores.[13][14]
On defense, Michigan allowing only 48 passing yards and 59 rushing yards on 38 attempts. Defensive back Mike Jolly had both an interception and a fumble recovery.[14]
On September 17, 1977, Michigan (ranked #1 in the AP Poll) defeated Duke, 21-9, in front of a crowd of 104,072 at Michigan Stadium. On the opening kickoff, Harlan Huckleby stepped across the goal line to the one-yard line, then stepped back, with the ball being marked down at the one-yard line. From there, Michigan was penalized for being offside and then for delay of game. Michigan did not score in the first quarter, but then scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. Rick Leach rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns and complete six of 11 passes for 76 yards. Russell Davis also rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown.[15]
Sandy Jones 34-yard pass from Bob Leszczynski (Tala kick)
MICH 14-7
On September 24, 1977, Michigan defeated Navy, 14-7, at Michigan Stadium. Michigan's points were all scored in the second quarter on runs of 13 and 34 yards by running back Harlan Huckleby. Huckleby rushed for 147 yards, and Russell Davis added 93 more, but Navy outgained Michigan by 301 total yards to 277 total yards. Michigan had defeated Navy by 56 points in 1976, and the seven-point victory in 1977 was considered a disappointment.[16] After the game, Michigan dropped from #1 to #3 in the AP and Coaches' Polls.
Jim Pickens recovered blocked punt in end zone (Gregg Willner kick)
MICH 34-3
4
MICH
Mike Jolly 50-yard interception return (Gregg Willner kick)
MICH 41-3
On October 1, 1977, No. 3 Michigan defeated No. 5 Texas A&M, 41-3, in front of 104,802 spectators at Michigan Stadium. Russell Davis rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns, and Harlan Huckleby added 73 yards and a touchdown. Rick Leach also threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Curt Stephenson. On defense, Ron Simpkins had 14 tackles, recovered a fumble, and blocked a punt that Jim Pickens recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Mike Jolly also returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown. After "skimpy victories" over Duke and Navy, the trouncing of the highly rated Aggies was considered "one of [Michigan's] most stunning performances in recent years.[17] Columnist Joe Falls wrote: "It may have been Bo Schembechler's finest coaching job in his nine years at Michigan."[18] Texas A&M coach Emory Bellard said, "Michigan came out in the second half and beat us every way you can beat a football team. . . . Michigan is an outstanding team."[17]
On October 8, 1977, Michigan defeated Michigan State, 24-14, at Spartan Stadium. Michigan State took a 7-0 lead on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Ed Smith to Kirk Gibson. Michigan responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Rick Leach to White and a 50-yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead at halftime. Michigan extended its lead to 24-7 in the third quarter on touchdown runs by Russell Davis and Ed Leach. Harlan Huckleby rushed for 146 yards, and Russell Davis added 96 yards. Ralph Clayton caught three passes for 99 yards. Michigan completed four of 10 passes in the game and threw only one pass in the second half.[19]
On October 15, 1977, #1 Michigan defeated undefeated and #14 Wisconsin, 56-0, in front of 104,892 spectators at Michigan Stadium. Rick Leach rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown and completed 10 of 16 passes for 127 yards and touchdown passes to Doug Marsh and Gene Johnson. Roosevelt Smith rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns, and Russell Davis rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown. Stanley Edwards and B. J. Dickey also scored rushing touchdowns. After the game, Michigan coach Bo Schembechler said, "We played this one as a big game and it turned out that way."[20]
On October 22, 1977, #1 Michigan lost to unranked Minnesota, 16-0, at Memorial Stadium, Minneapolis. All 16 of Minnesota points were scored by Paul Rogind (three field goals and an extra point) and Marion Barber, Jr. (three-yard touchdown run). Both Rogind and Barber were from the State of Michigan—Rogind from Farmington, Michigan and Barber from Detroit. Michigan's offense was shut out for the first time in 112 games dating back to 1967. After the game, Minnesota's players swarmed across the field to reclaim the Little Brown Jug trophy that had been in Michigan's custody for a decade. After the game the Detroit Free Press wrote: "In one fell swoop, Minnesota took away Michigan's No. 1 rating, its undefeated season, and, oh yes, that little chunk of pottery known as the Little Brown Jug."[21]
On October 29, 1977, Michigan, ranked #6 after losing to Minnesota, defeated Iowa, 23–6, before a crowd of 104,617 at the annual homecoming game at Michigan Stadium. Rick Leach completed nine of 12 passes for 202 yards, including touchdown passes covering 63 yards to Russell Davis, six yards to Gene Johnson, and 32 yards to Rick White. Leach's three touchdown passes gave him 25 for his career, breaking the record of 23 set by Bob Chappuis in the 1940s. Michigan also scored on a safety in the fourth quarter when linebacker Dom Tedesco tackled Iowa's quarterback in the end zone. After the game, Bo Schembechler said, "That was a devastating defeat a week ago. No one will ever know how hard it was to come back from that game."[22]
G. Johnson recovered fumble in end zone (Willner kick)
Michigan 14–7
3
MICH
Leach 21 yard run (Willner kick)
Michigan 21–7
3
MICH
Leach 4 yard run (Willner kick)
Michigan 28–7
3
MICH
Edwards 26 yard pass from Leach (Willner kick)
Michigan 35–7
3
MICH
Clayton 41 yard pass from Leach (Willner kick)
Michigan 42–7
4
MICH
Reid 19 yard run (Willner kick)
Michigan 49–7
4
NW
Sheets 28 yard pass from Stranski (Poulos kick)
Michigan 49–14
4
MICH
M. Smith 15 yard run (Willner kick)
Michigan 56–14
4
MICH
Mitchell 34 yard pass from Wangler (Willner kick)
Michigan 63–14
4
NW
Bailey 7 yard pass from Stranski (pass failed)
Michigan 63–20
On November 5, 1977, Michigan defeated Northwestern, 63-20, at Michigan Stadium. In the lopsided victory, 77 Michigan players had an opportunity to play in the game. Rick Leach ran for two touchdowns, passed for two more (one to Stanley Edwards, the other to Ralph Clayton), and set a new Michigan's record with 2,664 career passing yards. Late in the game, John Wangler threw a touchdown pass to Alan Mitchell. Michigan totaled 511 yards of total offense.[23]
Dom Tedesco 30-yard interception return (Willner kick)
MICH 31-7
3
0:50
MICH
Schmerge 6-yard pass from Leach (Willner kick)
MICH 38-7
4
MICH
Safety, Herrmann tackled in end zone
MICH 40-7
On November 12, 1977, Michigan defeated Purdue, 40–7, before a crowd of 68,003 at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. One year earlier, Purdue had upset Michigan by a 16–14 score, knocking Michigan out of the No. 1 ranking. Adding to the anticipation, the game matched coach Schembechler against his longtime defensive coordinator, Jim Young, who took over as Purdue's head coach in 1977.
Purdue's freshman quarterback Mark Herrmann led the Boilermakers on a 55-yard, seven-play opening drive capped by a six-yard touchdown pass to Dave Young. Defensive back Dwight Hicks set up Michigan's first score when he intercepted Hermann's pass at Purdue's 18-yard line with five minutes remaining in the first quarter. Michigan settled for a field goal, and Purdue held a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Michigan quarterback Rick Leach led the Wolverines on a 60-yard, eight-minute drive capped by an eight-yard touchdown pass to Mark Schmerge. With less than a minute remaining in the second quarter, Michigan forced a fumble on a punt, which was recovered by Curt Stephenson at the two-yard line. Roosevelt Smith scored on the next play, and Michigan took a 17-7 lead at halftime.[24][25]
Michigan back Russell Davis, playing in place of an injured Harlan Huckleby, rushed for 127 yards in the third quarter (168 in the game), including a 24-yard touchdown run. Michigan extended its lead to 31-7 when Dom Tedesco intercepted a Hermann pass and returned it for a touchdown. With 50 seconds left in the third quarter, Michigan scored again on a second touchdown pass from Leach to Schmerge. Michigan concluded the scoring in the fourth quarter when Tom Seabron sacked Hermann in the end zone for a safety.[24][25]
After Purdue's opening drive, Michigan's defense held Purdue scoreless for the remainder of the game. Linebacker Ron Simpkins led the defense with 10 tackles, and the Wolverines also limited Hermann to 74 passing yards with three interceptions.[25]
On November 19, 1977, Michigan, ranked No. 5 in both polls, defeated No. 4 Ohio State, 14–6, at Michigan Stadium. The game was broadcast to a national television audience on ABC, and the crowd of 106,024 at the stadium was the largest ever to attend a regular-season college football game.[26] The opening minutes were preempted by the arrival of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat on his historic visit to Israel, causing an angry reaction in Ann Arbor bars where hundreds had gathered to watch the game.[27]
For the second consecutive year, Michigan's defense prevented Ohio State from scoring a touchdown. Ohio State had the momentum in the first quarter, taking a 3–0 lead on a Vlade Janakievski field goal and limiting Michigan to five plays and five yards. A second Janakievski field goal attempt in the opening quarter went wide to the right. In the second quarter, quarterback Rick Leach led the Wolverines on a 50-yard drive, but a 42-yard field goal attempt by Gregg Willner fell short. On the next possession, Leach again led the Wolverines down the field, and this time the drive ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Roosevelt Smith. Michigan led, 7–3, at halftime.[26][28]
In the third quarter, Michigan linebacker Ron Simpkins recovered a Ron Springs fumble at Ohio State's 20-yard line. Leach then scored on a two-yard run. Willner converted the extra point kick, and Michigan led, 14–3. On the next drive, Ohio State quarterback Rod Gerald led a 74-yard drive to Michigan's 11-yard line, but the Buckeyes lost yardage on the next three plays, including a sack by Simpkins. Ohio State settled for a field goal by Janakievski. Ohio State moved deep into Michigan territory on two additional drives. On the first, the defense stopped Ohio State fullback Paul Campbell on a fourth-and-one run at the 10-yard line. On the other, Ohio State drove more than 90 yards and had a first down at Michigan's eight-yard line. On the next play, Gerald was hit in the backfield by linebacker John Anderson and fumbled, with Derek Howard recovering the ball for Michigan.[26][28]
In a battle of two great defenses, Ohio State out-gained Michigan by 352 yards to 196. Michigan managed only 10 first downs to 23 for Ohio State.[28] After the game, coach Schembechler praised his defense: "Our defense was terrific. They came up with big plays when we had to have them."[26] Ohio State coach Woody Hayes said: "This is by far the best game we ever played and lost. Their defense should receive great, great credit, for they stopped us when we were in scoring position."[26]
The game was marred by controversy when 64-year-old coach Hayes punched ABC's sideline cameraman in the stomach. Hayes was angered when the cameraman focused on Hayes after his quarterback's fourth quarter fumble. Asked about the incident in a post-game press conference, Hayes "went into a mini-rage", balled his fist in front of the reporter and said: "They stick it in your face every damn time."[29] Two days later, Hayes apologized for the incident, but at the same time called the cameraman "a liar" and said he was "so damned tired of hearing what I did to that man out there."[30]
Stan Edwards 32-yard pass from Leach (kick missed)
UW 27–20
On January 2, 1978, Michigan lost to Washington, 27–20, in the 1978 Rose Bowl. Michigan entered the game ranked No. 4 by the AP and favored by two touchdowns against No. 13 Washington. With the loss, Michigan coach Schembechler had a record of 0-8-1 in the final games of his nine seasons at Michigan.
Washington dominated early, taking a 17–0 lead at halftime. Washington quarterback Warren Moon scored on two rushing touchdowns, and Steve Robbins kicked a 30-yard field goal. Washington was aided in the first quarter when Michigan punter John Anderson dropped to one knee to field an errant snap, giving Washington excellent field position. In another first half mishap, Michigan drove to Washington's 31-yard line but turned the ball over on a Russell Davis fumble. With two minutes remaining the first half, Washington coach Don James called for a fake punt on fourth-and-seven from the Huskies' 33-yard line. Washington's freshman punter Aaron Wilson completed a pass from punt formation that resulted in a 46-yard gain.
At the start of the third quarter, Michigan's Mike Jolly intercepted a Moon pass deep in Washington territory. On fourth down inside the five-yard line, Roosevelt Smith's run was stopped short of the line to gain. After the goal-line stand, Moon led the Huskies on a 97-yard touchdown drive ending with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Moon to Spider Gaines. The Huskies led, 24–0.
In the final 20 minutes of the game, Michigan turned to a passing game and scored three touchdowns. With less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter, Rick Leach threw 23 yards to Curt Stephenson who ran untouched the remaining 53 yards into the end zone. Leach's 76-yard completion to Stephenson was the longest pass play in Rose bowl history to that point. Michigan next scored on touchdown runs by Russell Davis and Stan Edwards.
With 95 seconds left in the game, Michigan had the ball at Washington's 19-yard line when Ralph Clayton dropped Leach's pass in the end zone. Leach then hit Stan Edwards with a pass at the six-yard line, but the ball bounced off Edwards' hands and helmet and was intercepted by Washington linebacker Michael Jackson. Michigan's defense then held on three plays and forced Washington to punt from its end zone. On the final drive of the game, Leach threw into the end zone again, but the pass was intercepted by Washington back Nesby Glasgow.[31][32]
Center Walt Downing received first-team honors from the American Football Coaches Association,[33]Football News,[37] and The Sporting News,[39] and second-team honors from the Newspaper Enterprise Association.[38]
Linebacker John Anderson received first-team honors from the Football Writers Association of America and second-team honors from the United Press International.[35][36]
Offensive tackle Mike Kenn received second-team honors from the Associated Press.[34]
Defensive back Dwight Hicks also received second-team honors from the Associated Press.[34]
Fourteen Michigan players received recognition from the Associated Press (selected by sports writers and broadcasters) and/or United Press International (selected by the Big Ten coaches) on the 1977 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Mark Donahue at guard (AP-1, UPI-1), Dwight Hicks at defensive back (AP-1, UPI-1), Rick Leach at quarterback (AP-1, UPI-2), Mike Kenn at offensive tackle (AP-1, UPI-2), Walt Downing at center (AP-1), John Anderson at defensive end (AP-2, UPI-1) and punter (AP-2, UPI-2), Ron Simpkins at linebacker (AP-2, UPI-1), Jim Pickens at defensive back (AP-2, UPI-1), Russell Davis at running back (AP-2, UPI-2), Harlan Huckleby at running back (UPI-2), Steve Graves at middle guard (UPI-2), Derek Howard at defensive back (UPI-2), Gene Johnson at tight end (AP-2), and Dom Tedesco at linebacker (AP-2).[41][42]
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